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When 20th Century-Fox initially released this film to DVD the 2:55:1 transfer was not enhanced for widescreen televisions. This new version of "Love Is A Many Splendored-Thing" corrects that oversight and gives us a comprehensive documentary on William Holden besides. The film concerns itself with a real life love story between Eurasian doctor, Han Sue-Yin (Jennifer Jones) and married American reporter, Mark Elliot (William Holden). Set in the unstable political climate of Hong Kong, and featuring some breaktaking cinematography, captured in all its Cinemascope glory, this film is a remarkably effective piece of fiction and, with its Oscar-winning title song, remains a sure fire hit.Aside from its anamorphic enhancements, this new transfer doesn't make any quantum leaps forward in image quality. The initial print was remarkably smooth looking, save a few instances where film grain is a bit excessive. Edge enhancement, aliasing and shimmering details are kept to a bare minimum. Colors are very rich, vibrant and, for the most part, accurate, only occasionally giving way to orangy flesh tones. Pixelization is a problem from time to time. The audio is the same 4.0 as the previous disc - occasionally strident, but on the whole very well spread across all of the speakers.As already stated, this disc includes a Biography special on William Holden that is remarkably comprehensive, considering its running time plays at under an hour. Image quality varies, according to the elements of film stock from the various movie clips used. There's also a theatrical trailer - badly dated, and a Movietones news reel of the film's premiere.BOTTOM LINE: NICELY DONE FROM FOX THIS TIME AROUND.Read more ›

Love involves a blend of chemistry, which was displayed when American war correspondent William Holden met Eurasian doctor Jennifer Jones in Hong Kong. It was the kind of romantic setting for love to bloom. The beach at Repulse Bay is shown in its idyllic splendor, as well the breathtaking mountain top view of Victoria Peak, which Tennessee Williams called his favorite world site. Love inspires song, and the title song, also called "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," won a highly deserved Oscar and has remained a world classic.Twentieth Century Fox assigned the most prolific director in the history of the studio, the talented Henry King, to the project, and he delivered with highly favorable results, keeping the story moving at the right pace while utilizing the magnificent scenery of Hong Kong. While the film is classifiable as a love story, an interesting aspect involves the adjustment problems encountered by Jones as a Eurasian, trying to blend into a sociological picture where Chinese and largely British elements fraternized with their own, with individuals falling into both the Oriental and European categories, such as the case here, being frequenty shunned by both groups.While the film ends on the sad note of Holden's death while covering the Korean War, Jones' strength is displayed as she remembers the man she loved while vowing to endure. Jones accordingly generates admiration for her survivor status as well as her capacity to love correctly.

Besides the cinematography and unmatched cast of the two leading stars....the script was written so beautifully. Some of the lyrical lines such as, "I believe destiny has something in store for us." These are the some of the first romantic words Mark Elliot (Bill Holden) a war correspondant says to Soo Yin (The very lady-like and beautiful Jennifer Jones). Their first date is dinner celebrating the Chinese Moon Festival..They drive to the boating dock and take a rocky little chinese covered boat across the bay to a restaurant with a view of the bay, the enchanting golden moon, and fireworks, and chinese dragon festivities. Another beautiful line belonging to Soo Yin.."If we did not believe the unbelievable what would happen to fate?" And when he is leaving to cover the story of the war, he tells her not to be sad...she replies..."I won't be sad...sadness is so ungrateful." They have a favorite place atop a very high hill overlooking the water...she looks out and looks at him and states, "Hong Kong! the whord of a jewel thief.' Amid the theme song, the colors of the background, the beauty of Jennier Jones, and the smooth as velvet voice and all man character of William Holden...it's romance and art at it'a finest. This movie is what it is...A Many Splendored Thing.

when I first brought this film and started watching it I thought it was good not great. But the ending, the tragic ending and the swelling of the soundtrack made me cry and hit the replay button on my dvd player. The movie began to take shape for me once I realized the steps these two have taken to fall in love. The dialogue flows like modern Shakepeare and is wonderful to hear. Jones is at her best and it shows her subtle voice; it is neither weak nor nagging but this film belongs to love and to have it you need another person and at a key scene at a party we are introduced to Holden! Wow, this man was a master of presence and had such a natural flow to his acting. The intimate scenes of them on the way back from visiting one of Jones' friends are simply haunting. Under the moonlight and in a canoe Holden tells Jones "I will never do anything to hurt you" the tone and the expressions on both their faces are amazing. I love this flick and the setting is breathtaking. Just have a bucket and a towel to ring your tears into after the movie is over.